engine heating question
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
If you're going to idle, high idle helps quite a bit but it's still better to drive it.
When cold, high idle will run 5 PSI boost for 2-3 minutes automatically in the beginning.
If I high idle for five minutes (while scraping ice), I'll get heat on the road more quickly than normal or 10 minutes high idle the cab will begin to get warm but it's a huge waste of fuel.
I also don't have the supplemental heater and it's cold for awhile.
When cold, high idle will run 5 PSI boost for 2-3 minutes automatically in the beginning.
If I high idle for five minutes (while scraping ice), I'll get heat on the road more quickly than normal or 10 minutes high idle the cab will begin to get warm but it's a huge waste of fuel.
I also don't have the supplemental heater and it's cold for awhile.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
I had a layer of ice on all 4 side windows this morning, and this was after running it at highway speed for almost an hour with the defrost on with full fan. Guys at the service desk were a bit surprised when I rolled in all frosted up after almost an hour...hopefully they find something wrong...because something definitely has to be...
Thanks.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
In preparation for the -2F temps we got this morning (I know, spring break for you canucks!), I cut a piece of cardboard 24" x 36" to block the radiator off and stuffed it in front of the main radiator. That covers >95% of the radiator.
This morning I let the truck run 15 to 20 minutes before I left for work and the ECT was 114 when I pulled out of the driveway. 9 miles later when I arrived at work it was 176. That is a big improvement over the 156-165 that I would normally see at ambient temps of 20-30F. Cutting the airflow across the radiator does help, but unless you have the supplemental heat, you are still going to suffer for 20 minutes or more until the truck naturally reaches a high enough temperature to produce heat the old fashioned way. Idling doesn't seem to build much heat.
This morning I let the truck run 15 to 20 minutes before I left for work and the ECT was 114 when I pulled out of the driveway. 9 miles later when I arrived at work it was 176. That is a big improvement over the 156-165 that I would normally see at ambient temps of 20-30F. Cutting the airflow across the radiator does help, but unless you have the supplemental heat, you are still going to suffer for 20 minutes or more until the truck naturally reaches a high enough temperature to produce heat the old fashioned way. Idling doesn't seem to build much heat.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
In preparation for the -2F temps we got this morning (I know, spring break for you canucks!), I cut a piece of cardboard 24" x 36" to block the radiator off and stuffed it in front of the main radiator. That covers >95% of the radiator. This morning I let the truck run 15 to 20 minutes before I left for work and the ECT was 114 when I pulled out of the driveway. 9 miles later when I arrived at work it was 176. That is a big improvement over the 156-165 that I would normally see at ambient temps of 20-30F. Cutting the airflow across the radiator does help, but unless you have the supplemental heat, you are still going to suffer for 20 minutes or more until the truck naturally reaches a high enough temperature to produce heat the old fashioned way. Idling doesn't seem to build much heat.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
In preparation for the -2F temps we got this morning (I know, spring break for you canucks!), I cut a piece of cardboard 24" x 36" to block the radiator off and stuffed it in front of the main radiator. That covers >95% of the radiator. This morning I let the truck run 15 to 20 minutes before I left for work and the ECT was 114 when I pulled out of the driveway. 9 miles later when I arrived at work it was 176. That is a big improvement over the 156-165 that I would normally see at ambient temps of 20-30F. Cutting the airflow across the radiator does help, but unless you have the supplemental heat, you are still going to suffer for 20 minutes or more until the truck naturally reaches a high enough temperature to produce heat the old fashioned way. Idling doesn't seem to build much heat.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 62
I am not sure if the non-nav displays are like that. If not, look for an "EXT" button somewhere for "external temp". It should toggle between the climate zone you have set (single or dual) and the outside temp. When you adjust the cabin temp it will stay on cabin for a couple seconds then switch back to the outside temp.
On the warming up topic... the past couple days I have not had much heat to speak of coming out of my truck's vents - even with an hour and a half ride. The majority of the time it has been stuck in high idle, 1200-1500rpm, when in park or neutral. I don't have the rapid heat and have not had to deal with frosted over windows, but the air temp has been below 0 until this afternoon. I noticed my trans temp gauge on the dash was somewhat normal - middle of the scale - yet, my oil temp was very low. So I went back to Gauge Mode and saw the trans was above 160 and oil was in the 140's. Most of the time they are both within 10deg +/- of 200.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20,167
Likes: 15,997
From: Wisconsin
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Stafford Virginia
If you have the nav screen controls it is on the bottom of the dual zone climate screen right below - EXT, on the right side.
I am not sure if the non-nav displays are like that. If not, look for an "EXT" button somewhere for "external temp". It should toggle between the climate zone you have set (single or dual) and the outside temp. When you adjust the cabin temp it will stay on cabin for a couple seconds then switch back to the outside temp.
On the warming up topic... the past couple days I have not had much heat to speak of coming out of my truck's vents - even with an hour and a half ride. The majority of the time it has been stuck in high idle, 1200-1500rpm, when in park or neutral. I don't have the rapid heat and have not had to deal with frosted over windows, but the air temp has been below 0 until this afternoon. I noticed my trans temp gauge on the dash was somewhat normal - middle of the scale - yet, my oil temp was very low. So I went back to Gauge Mode and saw the trans was above 160 and oil was in the 140's. Most of the time they are both within 10deg +/- of 200.
I am not sure if the non-nav displays are like that. If not, look for an "EXT" button somewhere for "external temp". It should toggle between the climate zone you have set (single or dual) and the outside temp. When you adjust the cabin temp it will stay on cabin for a couple seconds then switch back to the outside temp.
On the warming up topic... the past couple days I have not had much heat to speak of coming out of my truck's vents - even with an hour and a half ride. The majority of the time it has been stuck in high idle, 1200-1500rpm, when in park or neutral. I don't have the rapid heat and have not had to deal with frosted over windows, but the air temp has been below 0 until this afternoon. I noticed my trans temp gauge on the dash was somewhat normal - middle of the scale - yet, my oil temp was very low. So I went back to Gauge Mode and saw the trans was above 160 and oil was in the 140's. Most of the time they are both within 10deg +/- of 200.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Option
You could limit how high the transmission shifts and thereby causing higher RPMs while driving just to cause the temp to rise faster. I use my block heater as well, in accordance to manual guidance, and the temps rise real fast to operating temp.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 4,266
From: Kaysville Utah
RPMs are not the answer. It's higher turbo boost and it's associated higher EGT temps. If you run at higher RPM but lower boost your EGT will drop.
Higher EGT, the faster the block and coolant warm up because you have higher temps in the combustion chamber.
Watch you EGT temps when you lug the engine down the block at low RPMS but high load vs dropping a gear and running higher RPMs.
Now the higher RPMS will work IF you get the Turbo Boost up high.
Get your combustion chamber temps up high by increasing the boost and watch your coolant and and oil temps climb.
Higher EGT, the faster the block and coolant warm up because you have higher temps in the combustion chamber.
Watch you EGT temps when you lug the engine down the block at low RPMS but high load vs dropping a gear and running higher RPMs.
Now the higher RPMS will work IF you get the Turbo Boost up high.
Get your combustion chamber temps up high by increasing the boost and watch your coolant and and oil temps climb.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 4
From: Connecticut
rtazz17 -- mine is fogging up like crazy too...i'm at the dealer right now with it...does yours ever finally clear the windows?
I had a layer of ice on all 4 side windows this morning, and this was after running it at highway speed for almost an hour with the defrost on with full fan. Guys at the service desk were a bit surprised when I rolled in all frosted up after almost an hour...hopefully they find something wrong...because something definitely has to be...
Thanks.
I had a layer of ice on all 4 side windows this morning, and this was after running it at highway speed for almost an hour with the defrost on with full fan. Guys at the service desk were a bit surprised when I rolled in all frosted up after almost an hour...hopefully they find something wrong...because something definitely has to be...
Thanks.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 10,107
Likes: 96
From: Hempstead, TX
On my '14, the external temp is located in the middle of the top of the home screen on the Sync w/MFT. It's not something I have to select - it's just there.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
wyotommy
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
Mar 3, 2004 09:40 PM